5 best offbeat attractions in Mexico

1. The Lucha Libre: The masked men of the Lucha Libre stage their high-flying antics on a regular basis at aging rinks and bullrings throughout the country. Although long considered naco, or tacky, the middle and upper classes are increasingly embracing the "sport."

2. Mercado Sonora: This Mexico City market is a place known for its fortune tellers and stalls hawking everything from witchcraft paraphernalia to dubious miracle cures for any illness.

3. Jesus Malverde shrine: A chapel in Culiacan, a state capital north of Mazatlan, dedicated to the patron saint of narcotics trafficking. The traffickers sponsor a party at the shrine every May 3, when the mostly-poor attendees are showered with giveaways.

4. San Marcos Fair: Aguascalientes, a prosperous, semi-arid industrial city, lives for its annual San Marcos Fair, the largest state fair in Mexico. And the five-week event features the country's largest palenque, or cockfighting ring. Highrollers -- possibly narcotics dealers -- wager big bucks during the cockfights, which are always followed by live entertainment by some of the biggest names in Latin music.

5. Dolores Hidalgo: A central Mexican town known for its lusty Independence Day celebrations, but lately, it's gained fame for ice cream vendors offering quirky flavours such as corn, avocado and tequila. The pork rind ice cream is not recommended.

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